Holiday Apple Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 tablespoon baking cocoa (unsweetened)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk (or soy milk)
• 3/4 cup applesauce
• 1 1/2 cups apples, peeled & shredded
• 1 1/2 cups dates, pitted & chopped
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped

Directions

1. 1

   Combine & sift together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, soda, cocoa & salt. Set aside.

2. 2

   Cream shortening & sugar until light.

3. 3

   Add vanilla, milk & applesauce to creamed mixture.

4. 4

   Add sifted ingredients & mix well.

5. 5

   Mix in apples, dates & walnuts. Blend well.

6. 6

   Spoon into a greased loaf pan (waxed paper cut to fit bottom of pan helps prevent sticking).

7. 7

   Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour & 45 minutes. (Test for doneness).

8. 8

   Keeps for weeks in the refrigerator or months in the freezer. Keep tightly wrapped in foil and/or plastic wrap.